ess, whose husband has been in the Insane Asylum for nearly
two years, finds it hard to support her family by peddling. Calling one
day, I found her going out without any shoes on her feet, and her
health very poor. I bought her a pair of shoes, for which she was very
thankful, and pointed her to Christ as her true friend in time of need.
She reads the Bible, and believes He is the Messiah."

"Another Roman Catholic woman, whom I have been visiting for some time,
continues to attend church regularly."

CHAPTER XXXI.

SEA-SIDE EXCURSIONS FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN.

Sure he, to whom, of mind or hand belongs
Some craft that doth uplift the thought of men
Above the mold, and bring to human ken
The joys of radiance, air and clear bird-songs;
So that the brow, o'er moist with sullen toil,
May catch a breeze from far-off Paradise;
So that the soul may, for a moment, rise
Up from the stoop and cramp of daily moil--
May own his gift Divine! as sure may trace
Its Source, as that of waters kind hands hold
To thirsty lips; nor need he mourn (since grace
Of his hath such refreshment wrought) if gold
Be scant; to him hath richer boon been given
An earth-bowed head to raise the nearer heaven.

There is no sight more truly gladdening to the heart of the
philanthropist than to behold the large barges, built after the model
of Noah's Ark, gliding swiftly through the beautiful waters of New York
Bay, heavily laden with the news-boys, working-girls, or poor mothers
and children of the city. Thanks to the New York Press, and the
contributors to the Fresh Air Fund, for thus giving the multitudes of
children, that are thickly huddled together in our tenement-houses, an
opportunity of inhaling pure air.

One of the pioneers in this good work was the New York _Times_. In 1872,
that paper started the "_Times'_ Excursion for Poor Children;" ay, and
for poor adults, too. The public nobly responded to the _Times'_ appeal,
sending in about $20,000. During the sweltering summer of that year, the
_Times'_ people carried to shady groves and seasides tens of thousands
of children who, for the first time, saw running streams and green
fields. No one can estimate the good done, the lives saved, and the
hours of happiness secured to young and old who have so few happy hours.
Not the least was that of softening hearts and opening purses.

In this noble work we find our dec